SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS RADIO) – A contract firefighter was killed last week when a dead tree fell on him during prep work for prescribed burns at Calaveras Big Trees State Park in Tuolumne County.
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The incident happened on May 6 in the South Grove section of the park, as reported by The Union Democrat. The victim – identified as 26-year-old Darin Banks – reportedly has a four-year-old son and leaves behind a mother, siblings, grandparents and great-grandparents.
"We are grateful for the work he was doing, trying to protect the giant sequoias," California State Parks Central Valley District Superintendent Danielle Gerhart told the paper.
In a statement to KCBS Radio, California State Parks Spokesperson Douglas Johnson said the employee worked for Firestorm Wildland Fire Suppression, Inc. and "was assigned to a hand crew" working to prepare an area of the park for prescribed burning.
"Our heart goes out to his family and friends," Johnson added.
The South Grove is home to more than 1,000 giant sequoia trees.
A GoFundMe set up for Banks' family has raised almost $24,000 as of Wednesday.
KCBS Radio has reached out to Firestorm Wildland Fire Suppression, Inc. for comment but has not yet heard back.
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